Aurora Advanced Technical Spec

USS Aurora
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1.0 NOVA-CLASS INTRODUCTION

• 1.1 MISSION OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directives 1016.8 & 901.12, Federation Diplomatic Corps Mandate 66.105.b, 66.105.c & 200.2.2, and Federation Security Council General Policy, the following objectives have been established for a Nova Class Starship:

Provide a platform for extended scientific survey and scouting missions. Replace the Oberth for system and planetary survey missions. Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation defensive, cultural, scientific, and explorative policy in deep space or border territory. Serve as a frontline support vehicle during emergencies and a platform for the extension of Federation diplomacy and policy. Provide non-critical functions such as transport of personnel and cargo when necessary, extended aid, and short-range patrol.

• 1.2 DESIGN STATISTICS

Length: 180 meters Width: 43 meters Height: 34 meters Weight: 276,948 metric tons Cargo capacity: 11,750 metric tons

Hull: Duranium-Tritanium composite Number of Decks: 8 Total

• 1.3 GENERAL OVERVIEW

Editor's Note: History written by Kurt Goring - based on information found in Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek Technical Manual, Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Technical Manual, and Star Trek: The Magazine. The style of the history is based on histories presented in the Star Trek Spaceflight Chronology by Stan Goldstein, Fred Goldstein, and Rick Sternbach. Please keep in mind that this is a history developed based on canon information presented in various sources and filled in with logical conjecture.

Sometimes described as the little sister in the new family of Starfleet vessels, the Nova Class Survey Frigate is part of the new breed of starships in service.

Aggressively designed, the small ship and its lack of amenities manage to surpass one’s first impression of its diminutive size. Known for its durability, the Nova Class has swiftly loss its status as a ‘little ship’ and is slowly gaining acclaim for their usefulness in making for more accurate missions to new areas of space, bringing back teraquads of data on individual systems that is disseminated amongst the fleets.

The Nova sports impressive weaponry for its size, and its scientific capabilities more than make up for its reduction in speed when compared to its larger ‘cousins’. Double deflector dishes also provide added security when far from a starbase or suitable repair facility, in that a single malfunctioning or damaged deflector will not prevent the ship from going to warp.

Highly accurate sensors and computer systems makes it the perfect tool to send into scarcely known territory and many discoveries have been made by Nova Classes finding things larger Explorer-type ships such as the Galaxy Class left behind.

Amenities are few and far between on a Nova, but its work is important and crews that work on these small ships know their worth and protect their reputations fiercely. Much like the favored Oberth, the Nova is sure to hold a place in Starfleet lore for a long time to come.

• 1.4 CONSTRUCTION HISTORY

The Starfleet Corps of Engineers with the help of the Advanced Starship Design Bureau can do some amazing things when it comes to the construction of Starships. Many of their designs have outlived their expectations by years, and sometimes, decades.

In that time, the Oberth has proven itself but the SCE and ASDB were sanctioned to replace it after over a century of service in Starfleet.

There would be a new vessel built to gradually phase out the Oberth Classes as the primary ship of the line in Survey and Extended Study missions. This ship would have to be larger, and not display the same limitations in speed and longevity that the Oberth was famous, if not infamous, for. And like all of the new breed of ships, it would be equipped to defend itself, unlike the Oberth.

The engineers at the ASDB facility sat down to design this new Surveyor and rejected design after design that paid homage to the Oberth. Nostalgia was overwhelming, when faced with the concept of replacing a ship that had served for well over a century. More and more designs were proposed and rejected, until finally someone stumbled on a graveyard of other, rejected designs.

The Defiant-Pathfinder had been originally designed as a weapon with nacelles, but had been rejected in favor of a more groundbreaking approach to tactical design. Unbuilt, the ASDB team resurrected the files and preliminary stress sketches and set to work modifying the Defiant-Pathfinder and shrinking it toward a more usable size. Six torpedo launchers were removed from the design, and replaced with a more appropriate sensor package. It lost over fifty meters in length and its proportions were reduced by the same percentage.

Slowly, the ship was coming to shape and final approval was given to begin assembly on a test frame. This new hull was small and smooth, easily designed and came together quickly. Soon she was dubbed NX-72359 and began her internal construction.

One of the engineers salvaged more than just the designs, taking a name intended for another class of ships but never used. Name in hand, the new Nova Class Survey Frigate came into slow creation. Its initial tests came off without a hitch, but it was discovered that the ship could only carry a small warp core, and in conjunction with its small nacelles would only be able to achieve a maximum speed of around Warp 8. The administration approved the ship anyway and field tests began.

It proved to be a reliable ship, with very few design errors. The limitations in speed were hardly noticed when it carried out test survey missions inside Sol System, but the engineering crew were mindful of its lack of facilities for long missions. At best, the ship could operate totally independently for 12 months without visiting a starbase for a major resupply. At worse, excessive use would force it to return much sooner.

Sleek in design, its hull shape was all but completely retained from its original Defiant-Pathfinder incarnation. The tactically sound sunken bridge was left in, losing the ability to be changed out with ease, but gaining added protection that was useful when the ship was faced by just about anything that outgunned it.

Such a thing was difficult, however, as the Nova Class came very well armed due to design considerations that were evident in its original form. No fewer than nine phaser arrays dotted the ship’s hull, and its long, low profile added to security. Its shields were neither the strongest nor its engines the most powerful or maneuverable, but the ship passed in every criterion that mattered and was approved for mass production.

Due to their size, many Nova Class starships could be built, however the need is not there and the Novas are kept at reasonable rate of approximately 20 new ships a year. Production was temporarily halted during the Dominion War, as the Nova Class was unsuitable for warfare. However, production has resumed since the cessation of the War and more new Novas are being constructed.

Though their missions are frequently routine, one Nova Class has already gained some infamous notoriety. The USS Equinox, NCC-72381 was lost some time ago. Third-hand reports suggest it will never be found.

2.0 COMMAND SYSTEMS

• 2.1 MAIN BRIDGE

General Overview: Primary operational control of the Nova Class is provided by the Main Bridge, located in a recessed area just under the topmost area of the saucer section.

The Main Bridge directly supervises all primary mission operations and coordinates all departmental activities.

The Main Bridge is not an ejectable module.

Layout: Due to the profile of missions the Nova Class typically undertakes, the bridge aboard this class of ship is designed for free range and ‘think tank’ style management. Much of what the ship does is interrelated to a significant amount, and allowing the ship’s top officers to interact freely in a work environment helps the missions to operate at peak efficiency as a opposed to ships that operate ‘under sail’.

The ship’s commanding and executive officers have chairs at the very center of the circular bridge in a submerged location. In this manner, the bridge helps the idea that there is ‘work’ being done and the command staff are an integral part of it, rather than the overseers.

The captain’s chair is starboard side, and the executive officer’s is on the portside. Between them is a console built into the structure that provides a place for information dissemination, as well as operational command of the starship. On either side of the command and executive officer’s chairs, are smooth benches, an architectural element that can be used when necessary by extra officers on the bridge, as well as visitors and other personnel by the permission of the command staff.

Directly ahead of the command area and down into a further sunken area, is the Conn. This split console is just forward of the viewscreen and houses enough space to be used in the traditional Conn/Operations arrangement where necessary. Under most conditions, the entire console is used for Helm/Navigation and Operations is managed by one of the other stations.

To the port and starboard sides of the command area are the doors on the upper level. The portside doors lead to turbolifts and the Captain’s Ready Room, with the starboardside door making way to an additional turbolift, as well as access to the crew head.

Behind the command area is a large array of multi-use consoles that can be configured to run any operation on the starship. Depending on mission condition, the majority of the consoles will be set to a scientific function. However, other mission types require a different approach.

When necessary, Tactical is usually assigned to the forward, portside console just right of the main viewscreen. Though it is not necessary for a tactical officer to see a visual image of its target, they have traditionally been provided with positions where they can assess the situation both by instrumentation, and their own eyes. Tactical console configuration usage is extremely limited; only Beta-2 Tactical clearance personnel can use it, and the user must input special codes to even get access to the massive amounts of computer links that give tactical nearly limitless information at the Nova Class’ disposal. For full access, the console's security subsystem can run a battery of scans on the user, including thermal, biological, retinal, and vocal tests. If all of these are passed, full access to the ship's offensive and defensive systems is made available.

On the opposite side is where Operations is most often handled. Portside, the operations console is under the command of the Operations Manager, who oversees such important elements of the ship as supply and outfitting, communications and power distribution.

Directly behind the captain and first officer’s chairs is the Master Systems Display. This dedicated area allows any officer to get an abstract picture of the ship and any problems that may arise. Its attached console allows certain situations to be dealt with right in front of the MSD without further intervention.

On either side of the Master Systems Display lie the Science consoles. Typically, the Chief Science Officer mans the portside console, and the Assistant Science Officer the opposite console. From the science consoles, the officers have priority access to all sensor input coming into the ship. The science consoles can be used by any personnel and have access to all science, navigational, sensor, and communications systems.

At the rear, portside console nearest the entrance doors lies the engineering bridge console. Manned at all times, this console provides an engineer or technician access to all data coming from the ship’s internal monitoring systems as well as access (where necessary) to repair and adjust various systems throughout the ship.

Directly opposite on the starboard side is the controls for the ship’s biological systems including life support and environmental control. Additional controls can include monitoring samples brought aboard, and managing biological tests being performed aboard the Nova Class starship.

There are No escape pods connected to the bridge. Pods are located on all decks below Deck 2. Each pod can support two people for 72 hours in space, and has a maximum speed of half impulse. Two pods are reserved for the top four officers in the chain of command on the ship because they are the last four to leave the ship. These are located on Deck 2. As the number of experienced Captains dwindles in Starfleet, the notion of a Captain going down with his ship has been abolished. If the ship is abandoned, the top four officers in the chain of command will wait until everyone else is off the ship, opt to arm the auto-Destruct (not always necessary, but there if needed), and then leave in the two escape pods.

• 2.2 MAIN ENGINEERING

Deck 7 on a Nova Class starship is home to Main Engineering – the heart of the vessel. Main Engineering contains equipment to manage and maintain nearly every system aboard the ship. Staffed by technicians and engineers, Main Engineering is the second most essential area of a Nova.

Protected at three points with blast doors for internal and external security reasons, Main Engineering is home to literally dozens of consoles and control points for the starship’s equipment. The engineering room aboard a Nova is a very compact but deceptively large environment. Strategically placed consoles provide more than adequate work area for monitoring the ship as well as the vessel’s warp core.

Its main entrance, on Deck 7, opens into a small corridor with banks of consoles on either side of the ‘hall’ for technicians to keep tabs on anything from environmental controls to replicator repairs. This corridor opens into a larger, almost square room filled with more consoles.

In the center of that square is the ship’s warpcore. The Ceries F-Type Matter/Antimatter Reactor Assembly (M/ARA) covers three decks in height with emergency ejection systems located at the top to loose the warpcore that is then ejected from the ventral engineering section of the ship in an emergency. Like all modern Engineering rooms, the Nova’s Engineering Room is equipped with breathing masks and fire suppression equipment in case of accidents. Additional measures include a 20 centimeter-thick door that can be extended to the ceiling to the floor in case of a coolant leak inside Main Engineering. Due to the caustic nature of plasma coolant, it must be fully vented before the computer will allow the doors to be opened.

Access to the top of the M/ARA is provided by a set of catwalks and doors that open on to Deck 6 where further engineering systems are housed, including Deflector Control. Other accesses include access ladders and Jeffries tubes spread around Main Engineering, and additional corridors that extend further into the ship.

Aboard a Nova Class starship, Main Engineering is under the supervision of the vessel’s Chief Engineer who has an office to the rear of Main Engineering.

Typical crew compliment in Main Engineering consists of three engineers and seven technicians of various grades. During Red or Yellow Alert, that number is increased.

• 2.3 TACTICAL DEPARTMENT

This multi-room department is located in a restricted area on Deck 4. Within it are the entrances to the phaser range, the auxiliary weapon control room and to the Ship's Armory, as well as the office of the Chief of Security.

Security Office: The Chief of Security’s office is decorated to the officer's preference. It contains a work area, a personal viewscreen, a computer display, and a replicator.

Brig: Located on Deck 4, the Brig is a restricted access area whose only entrance is from within the Security department. The Nova Class vessel has one double occupancy cell, which contains beds, a retractable table and chairs, a water dispenser, and sanitary facilities. The cell is secured with a level-10 forcefield emitter built into each doorway.

Internal Forcefields: Controlled from the bridge or from the Security office on Deck 4, forcefields can be activated throughout the ship, effectively sealing off sections of the hallway from the remainder of the vessel.

Internal Sensors: Used to monitor the internal security of the ship. They can identify the location of specific crewmembers that are wearing their commbadge. They can be used to determine the general location of any person on board the ship, based on the entry of specific variables by the Tactical officer.

Ship's Armory: This room is located in a restricted area on Deck 4 and is under constant guard. The room is sealed with a level 10 forcefield and can only be accessed by personnel with Level-4 or above security clearance granted by the Command staff or Chief of Security. Inside the armory is a work area for maintenance and repair of phasers as well as multiple sealed weapon lockers. The Nova Class carries enough type-I and type-II phasers to arm the entire crew. Type-III phaser rifle and the new compression phaser rifles are available as well, but only in enough numbers to arm approximately 1/3 of the crew. Heavy ordinance is available in limited numbers.

Armory Inventory includes: 30 Type-I Phasers 60 Type-II Phaser pistols 25 Type-III Phaser rifles 10 Type-IIIc Compression Phaser rifles

Personnel Phasers range in power settings from 1 (Light Stun) to 16 (Atomize).

Torpedo/Probe Magazine: These restricted areas on Deck 4 are for storing unarmed photon torpedoes and warheads, and science probes I - VI (VII - IX if mission dictates). Also stored here are the components for manufacturing new photon torpedo as well as the equipment to put it all together. These rooms are also accessed by the loading mechanism for the torpedo launchers.

3.0 TACTICAL SYSTEMS

• 3.1 PHASERS

Phaser Array Arrangement: Dorsal saucer section is covered by four phaser strips; two of which extend from the aft curvature, along the length of the saucer and stop short of the auxiliary deflector incision. The aft firing arc is covered by two smaller arrays angled on the rear of the saucer section. The relative bottom of the ship is protected by two similar arrays as on the Dorsal, extending to the rear of the saucer and following the curve to the aux deflector incision. Additional protection is provided by a single array that extends laterally across the ventral engineering hull just fore of the warpcore ejection port. Far aft strips placed laterally on either side of the main shuttlebay on the dorsal engineering hull cover the rearmost firing arc for a total of nine phaser strips.

Phaser Array Type: Even though the Nova Class is a small vessel, it still utilizes the Type-IX array system. The six arrays are all Type-IX, the new standard emitter. Each array fires a steady beam of phaser energy, and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c (which works out to about 182,520 miles per second - nearly warp one). The phaser array automatically rotates phaser frequency and attempts to lock onto the frequency and phase of a threat vehicle's shields for shield penetration.

Phaser Array Output: Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each Type-IX emitter can only discharge approximately 6.0 MW (megawatts). However, several emitters (usually two) fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a discharge approximately 12 MW.

Phaser Array Range: Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Defense/Anti-Spacecraft

Secondary purpose: Assault

• 3.2 TORPEDO LAUNCHERS

Arrangement: Three standard torpedo launchers. Two fore, and one aft. Torpedo tubes one and two (fore), are located on either side of the auxiliary deflector just forward of the incision. The tubes are recessed into the ‘prongs’ and can fire as many as two torpedoes per forward salvo, making a total forward salvo of four torpedoes per firing. Aft coverage is handled by a third torpedo launcher facing the rear of the ship in the upper engineering hull near where it meets the saucer.

Type: Type-6, Mark-XXV photon torpedo, capable of pattern firing (sierra, etc.) as well as independent launch. Independent targeting once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed by the ship.

Payload: The Nova Class can carry a maximum of 55 torpedo casings with at least 15 of them geared as probe casings at any one time.

Range: Maximum effective range is 3,500,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Anti-Spacecraft

• 3.3 DEFLECTOR SHIELDS

Type: Asymmetrical peristaltic subspace graviton field. This type of shield is similar to those of most other Starships, but rated higher than most vessels of equivalent size as a defensive measure due to it’s role in hosting conferences and ferrying VIPs. Other than incorporating the now mandatory nutational shift in frequency, the shields alter their graviton polarity to better deal with more powerful weapons and sophisticated weaponry (including Dominion, Breen, and Borg systems).

During combat, the shield sends data on what type of weapon is being used on it, and what frequency and phase the weapon uses. Once the tactical officer analyzes this, the shield can be configured to have the same frequency as the incoming weapon - but different nutation. This tactic dramatically increases shield efficiency.

Output: There are 11 shield grids on the Nova Class and each one generates 145.5 MW, resulting in total shield strength of 1,595 MW. The power for the shields is taken directly from the warp engines and impulse fusion generators. If desired, the shields can be augmented by power from the impulse power plants. The shields can protect against approximately 42% of the total EM spectrum (whereas a Galaxy Class Starship's shields can only protect against about 23%), made possible by the multi-phase graviton polarity flux technology incorporated into the shields.

Range: The shields, when raised maintain an average range is 30 meters away from the hull.

Primary purpose: Defense from hazardous radiation and space-borne particulates.

Secondary purpose: Defense from enemy threat forces

4.0 COMPUTER SYSTEMS

• 4.1 COMPUTER CORE

Number of computer cores: One. The primary computer core is accessed in the control room on Deck 2. It covers three decks and extends from Deck 2 to Deck 4. It is fed by two sets of redundant EPS conduits as well as primary power.

Type: The V-109 primary computer assembly is built specifically for the Nova Class starship by Viscosity Computing on Argos-IV. The structure of the computer is similar to that of most other supercomputing systems in use by Federation vessels with stack segments extending through the ship forming trillions of trillions of connections through the processing and storage abilities of modern isolinear chips. Cooling of the isolinear loop is accomplished by a regenerative liquid helium loop, which has been refit to allow a delayed-venting heat storage unit for "Silent Running.” For missions, requirements on the computer core rarely exceed 45-50% of total core processing and storage capacity. The rest of the core is utilized for various scientific, tactical, or intelligence gathering missions - or to backup data in the event of a damaged core.

• 4.2 LCARS

Acronym for Library Computer Access and Retrieval System, the common user interface of 24th century computer systems, based on verbal and graphically enhanced keyboard/display input and output. The graphical interface adapts to the task, which is supposed to be performed, allowing for maximum ease-of-use. The Nova Class operates on LCARS build version 4 to account for increases in processor speed and power, limitations discovered in the field in earlier versions, and increased security.

• 4.3 SECURITY LEVELS

Access to all Starfleet data is highly regulated. A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.

Security levels are also variable, and task-specific. Certain areas of the ship are restricted to unauthorized personnel, regardless of security level. Security levels can also be raised, lowered, or revoked by Command personnel.

Security levels in use aboard the Nova Class are: Level 10 – Captain and Above Level 9 – First Officer Level 8 - Commander Level 7 – Lt. Commander Level 6 – Lieutenant Level 5 – Lt. Junior Grade Level 4 - Ensign Level 3 – Non-Commissioned Crew Level 2 – Civilian Personnel Level 1 – Open Access (Read Only)

Note: Security Levels beyond current rank can and are bestowed where, when and to whom they are necessary.

The main computer grants access based on a battery of checks to the individual user, including face and voice recognition in conjunction with a vocal code as an added level of security.

• 4.4 UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR

All Starfleet vessels make use of a computer program called a Universal Translator that is employed for communication among persons who speak different languages. It performs a pattern analysis of an unknown language based on a variety of criteria to create a translation matrix. The translator is built in the Starfleet badge and small receivers are implanted in the ear canal.

The Universal Translator matrix aboard Nova Class starships consists of well over 100,000 languages and increases with every new encounter.

5.0 PROPULSION SYSTEMS

• 5.1 WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type: F-Type Standard Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Drive, developed by Ceries Industries. Information on this Warp Drive can be found in any Starfleet Library or Omnipedia.

Normal Cruising Speed: Warp 6

Cruising Speed as pursuant to Warp Limitations, as a cause of subspace pollution: Warp 6.3

Maximum Speed: Warp 8 for 12 hours

Note: Vessels equipped with the Ceries F-Type M/ARA Drive System no longer have the maximum cruising speed limit of Warp 6.3, thanks to innovations discovered and utilized in the M/ARA Warp Drive outfitted in the new Intrepid Class Starship. Pursuant to Starfleet Command Directive 12856.A, all Starships will receive upgrades to their Warp Drive system to prevent further pollution of Subspace.

• 5.2 IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type: Outfitted with a single T2-16 fusion powered impulse engine, the Nova Class carries more than enough thrust to maneuver at her fully laden weight. Built by Tallier Propulsion, the T2-16 is lauded for its reliability under extended use, as well as its fuel efficiency.

Output: The impulse engine can propel the Nova Class at speeds just under .25c, at “Full Impulse” and an upper ceiling of .75c at three quarters the speed of light. Generally, Starfleet Vessels are restricted to .25c speeds to avoid the more dramatic time dilation effects of higher relativistic speeds. However, such restrictions can be overridden at the behest of the ship’s captain.

• 5.3 REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Type: Standard Version 3 magneto-hydrodynamic gas-fusion thrusters.

Output: Each thruster quad can produce 3.9 million Newtons of exhaust.

6.0 UTILITIES AND AUXILIARY SYSTEMS

• 6.1 NAVIGATION DEFLECTOR

A standard Nova Class main deflector dish is located in the engineering hull, and is located just forward of the primary engineering spaces. Composed of molybdenum/duranium mesh panels over a tritanium framework (beneath the Duranium-Tritanium hull), the dish can be manually moved twelve degrees in any direction off the ship's Z-axis. The main deflector dish's shield and sensor power comes from two graviton polarity generators located on Deck 6, each capable of generating 128 MW, which can be fed into two 480 millicochrane subspace field distortion generators.

• 6.2 TRACTOR BEAM

Type: Multiphase subspace graviton beam, used for direct manipulation of objects from a submicron to a macroscopic level at any relative bearing to the ship. Each emitter is directly mounted to the primary members of the ship's framework, to lessen the effects of isopiestic subspace shearing, inertial potential imbalance, and mechanical stress.

Output: Each tractor beam emitter is built around three multiphase 15 MW graviton polarity sources, each feeding two 475-millicochrane subspace field amplifiers. Phase accuracy is within 1.3 arc-seconds per microsecond, which gives superior interference pattern control. Each emitter can gain extra power from the SIF by means of molybdenum-jacketed wave-guides. The subspace fields generated around the beam (when the beam is used) can envelop objects up to 920 meters, lowering the local gravitational constant of the universe for the region inside the field and making the object much easier to manipulate.

Range: Effective tractor beam range varies with payload mass and desired delta-v (change in relative velocity). Assuming a nominal 15 m/sec-squared delta-v, the multiphase tractor emitters can be used with a payload approaching 116,380,000,000 metric tons at less than 2,000 meters. Conversely, the same delta-v can be imparted to an object massing about one metric ton at ranges approaching 30,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Towing or manipulation of objects

Secondary purpose: Tactical/Defensive

• 6.3 TRANSPORTER SYSTEMS

Number of Systems: 5

Personnel Transporters: 1

Max Payload Mass: 900kg (1,763 lbs) Max Range: 40,000 km Max Beam Up/Out Rate: Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter

Cargo Transporters: 1

Max Payload Mass: 800 metric tons. Standard operation is molecular resolution (Non-Lifeform). Set for quantum (Lifeform) resolution: 1 metric ton Max Beam Up/Out Rate (Quantum Setting): Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter

Emergency Transporters: 2

Max Range: 15,000 km (send only) {range depends on available power}

Max Beam Out Rate: 100 persons per hour per Transporter (300 persons per hour with 4 Emergency Transports)

• 6.4 COMMUNICATIONS

Standard Communications Range: 30,000 – 90,000 kilometers Standard Data Transmission Speed: 18.5 kiloquads per second Subspace Communications Speed: Warp 9.9997

7.0 SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

• 7.1 SENSOR SYSTEMS

Long range and navigation sensors are located behind the main deflector dish, to avoid sensor "ghosts" and other detrimental effects consistent with main deflector dish millicochrane static field output. Lateral sensor pallets are located around the rim of the entire Starship, providing full coverage in all standard scientific fields, but with emphasis in the following areas:

Astronomical phenomena

Planetary analysis

Remote life-form analysis

EM scanning

Passive neutrino scanning

Parametric subspace field stress (a scan to search for cloaked ships)

Thermal variances

Quasi-stellar material

Each sensor pallet (11 in all) can be interchanged and re-calibrated with any other pallet on the ship. Warp Current sensor: This is an independent subspace graviton field-current scanner, allowing the ship to track ships at high warp by locking onto the eddy currents from the threat ship's warp field, then follow the currents by using multi-model image mapping.

The Nova Class starship is equipped with two high-power science sensor pallets in the forward saucer section, ventral side. The pallets are unplated for ease of upgrade and repair, as well as enhancing sensor acuity.

• 7.2 TACTICAL SENSORS

There are 10 independent tactical sensors on the <Ship Name>. Each sensor automatically tracks and locks onto incoming hostile vessels and reports bearing, aspect, distance, and vulnerability percentage to the tactical station on the main bridge. Each tactical sensor is approximately 90% efficient against ECM, and can operate fairly well in particle flux nebulae (which has been hitherto impossible).

• 7.3 STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY

One Stellar Cartography Bay is located on Deck 5, with direct EPS power feed from Engineering. All information is directed to the bridge and can be displayed on any console or the main viewscreen. When under warp or staffed by demand, the Stellar Cartography Bay is manned by on supervising officer and as many as three subordinates.

• 7.4 SCIENCE LABS

There are 16 science labs on the Nova Class starship, four of which are non-specific labs that can be easily modified for various scientific endeavors including Bio/Chem, and Physics tests and/or experiments – crews rotate often among these laboratories. Located mostly on Deck 4 with small auxiliaries in other areas of the ship where appropriate, the Nova Class’ laboratories are well equipped due to the nature of their mission profile. More specific and specialized laboratories include Atmospheric Physics, as well as the more dangerous High-Energy Physics (note: additional SIF Field Generators are installed in the bulkheads around this lab).

Additional laboratories include a Botany Lab, where experiments and studies are done on the various phylum found on the surfaces of planets being surveyed, as well as development of better, more robust terraforming flora for use in colonization. The Geology Laboratories cover two major areas, Planetary and Astronomical. Though a good portion of the Nova’s time is spent in-system, other missions may include studying astronomical phenomena and these laboratories are provided for that purpose. Other laboratories study genetics and Xenobiology.

Spending a year at a time away, the Nova Class’ computer core is one of the few that uses a significant part of its processing and storage capacity. The data collected is usually offloaded at a starbase where it can be audited and distributed among the fleets.

• 7.5 PROBES

A probe is a device that contains a number of general purpose or mission specific sensors and can be launched from a starship for closer examination of objects in space.

There are nine different classes of probes, which vary in sensor types, power, and performance ratings. The spacecraft frame of a probe consists of molded duranium-tritanium and pressure-bonded lufium boronate, with sensor windows of triple layered transparent aluminum. With a warhead attached, a probe becomes a photon torpedo. The standard equipment of all nine types of probes are instruments to detect and analyze all normal EM and subspace bands, organic and inorganic chemical compounds, atmospheric constituents, and mechanical force properties. All nine types are capable of surviving a powered atmospheric entry, but only three are special designed for aerial maneuvering and soft landing. These ones can also be used for spatial burying. Many probes can be real-time controlled and piloted from a starship to investigate an environment dangerous hostile or otherwise inaccessible for an away-team.

The nine standard classes are:

• 7.5.1 Class I Sensor Probe:

Range: 2 x 10^5 kilometers Delta-v limit: 0.5c Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion Sensors: Full EM/Subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet for in-space applications. Telemetry: 12,500 channels at 12 megawatts.

• 7.5.2 Class II Sensor Probe:

Range: 4 x 10^5 kilometers Delta-v limit: 0.65c Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion, extended deuterium fuel supply Sensors: Same instrumentation as Class I with addition of enhanced long-range particle and field detectors and imaging system Telemetry: 15,650 channels at 20 megawatts.

• 7.5.3 Class III Planetary Probe:

Range: 1.2 x 10^6 kilometers Delta-v limit: 0.65c Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion Sensors: Terrestrial and gas giant sensor pallet with material sample and return capability; onboard chemical analysis submodule Telemetry: 13,250 channels at ~15 megawatts. Additional data: Limited SIF hull reinforcement. Full range of terrestrial soft landing to subsurface penetration missions; gas giant atmosphere missions survivable to 450 bar pressure. Limited terrestrial loiter time.

• 7.5.4 Class IV Stellar Encounter Probe:

Range: 3.5 x 10^6 kilometers Delta-v limit: 0.6c Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion supplemented with continuum driver coil and extended deuterium supply Sensors: Triply redundant stellar fields and particle detectors, stellar atmosphere analysis suite. Telemetry: 9,780 channels at 65 megawatts. Additional data: Six ejectable/survivable radiation flux subprobes. Deployable for nonstellar energy phenomena

• 7.5.5 Class V Medium-Range Reconnaissance Probe:

Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometers Delta-v limit: Warp 2 Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine; extended duration sublight plus limited duration at warp Sensors: Extended passive data-gathering and recording systems; full autonomous mission execution and return system Telemetry: 6,320 channels at 2.5 megawatts. Additional data: Planetary atmosphere entry and soft landing capability. Low observatory coatings and hull materials. Can be modified for tactical applications with addition of custom sensor countermeasure package.

• 7.5.6 Class VI Comm Relay/Emergency Beacon:

Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometers Delta-v limit: 0.8c Powerplant: Microfusion engine with high-output MHD power tap Sensors: Standard pallet Telemetry/Comm: 9,270 channel RF and subspace transceiver operating at 350 megawatts peak radiated power. 360 degree omni antenna coverage, 0.0001 arc-second high-gain antenna pointing resolution. Additional data: Extended deuterium supply for transceiver power generation and planetary orbit plane changes

• 7.5.7Class VII Remote Culture Study Probe:

Range: 4.5 x 10^8 kilometers Delta-v limit: Warp 1.5 Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine Sensors: Passive data gathering system plus subspace transceiver Telemetry: 1,050 channels at 0.5 megawatts. Additional data: Applicable to civilizations up to technology level III. Low observability coatings and hull materials. Maximum loiter time: 3.5 months. Low-impact molecular destruct package tied to antitamper detectors.

• 7.5.8 Class VIII Medium-Range Multimission Warp Probe:

Range: 1.2 x 10^2 light-years Delta-v limit: Warp 9 Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 6.5 hours at warp 9; MHD power supply tap for sensors and subspace transceiver Sensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules Telemetry: 4,550 channels at 300 megawatts. Additional data: Applications vary from galactic particles and fields research to early-warning reconnaissance missions

• 7.5.9 Class IX Long-Range Multimission Warp Probe:

Range: 7.6 x 10^2 light-years Delta-v limit: Warp 9 Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 12 hours at warp 9; extended fuel supply for warp 8 maximum flight duration of 14 days Sensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules Telemetry: 6,500 channels at 230 megawatts. Additional data: Limited payload capacity; isolinear memory storage of 3,400 kiloquads; fifty-channel transponder echo. Typical application is emergency-log/message capsule on homing trajectory to nearest starbase or known Starfleet vessel position

8.0 CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS

• 8.1 MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Sickbay: There is an adequate sickbay facility located on Deck 3, equipped with ICU and Biohazard Support, a Radiation Treatment Wards that doubles as a Surgical Ward, a ward for Null-Gravity Treatment and Isolation Suites There is also a Morgue, and dental care is handled in the main ward. The Chief Medical Officer’s office is attached to Sickbay, and the main ward contains a load-out of four standard biobeds, with ten more in the main treatment ward, and a small complement of emergency cots. Pursuant to new Medical Protocols, all Medical Facilities are equipped with holo-emitters for the emergency usage of the Emergency Medical Hologram System.

Counselor’s Office: The Counselor’s office is also located on Deck 3 to assure a more efficient medical treatment environment. Though small, the office is nicely decorated and comfortable for the patient. There are no visual sensors in this office and audio recordings are done only with the voice code of the Counselor.

It has standard furnishings (decorated to the Counselors preference), a personal viewscreen, a computer display, a replicator, and a washroom/head. It has an individual therapy room furnished with chairs and couch for one-on-one sessions.

In the event of a crewmember suffering a psychotic episode, and needing to be isolated from the crew, the ill crewman is kept in sickbay, in the isolation unit, or in the intensive care units, as determined by bed availability.

• 8.2 CREW QUARTERS SYSTEMS

General Overview: Due to the small size of the Nova Class, and its internal arrangement of systems and laboratories, crew accommodations are distributed through every deck of the ship

Individuals assigned to a Nova Class for periods over six months are permitted to reconfigure their quarters within hardware, volume, and mass limits. Individuals assigned for shorter periods are generally restricted to standard quarters configuration.

Crew Quarters: Standard Living Quarters are provided for both Starfleet and non-commissioned crew. Aboard a Nova Class, bringing families aboard is usually discouraged due to the lengthy ‘working’ missions.

Crewmen can request that their living quarters be combined to create a single larger dwelling.

Officers' Quarters: Starfleet personnel from the rank of Ensign up to Lieutenant Commander are given one set of quarters to themselves (cohabitation is not required).

These accommodations typically include a small bathroom, a bedroom (with standard bed), a living/work area, a food replicator, an ultrasonic shower, personal holographic viewer, and provisions for pets.

Officers may request that their living quarters be combined to form one large dwelling.

Executive Quarters: The Captain and Executive Officer of the Nova Class both have special, much larger quarters.

These quarters are much more luxurious than any others on the ship, with the exception of the VIP Guest quarters. Both the Executive Officer's and the Captain's quarters are larger than standard Officers Quarters, and this space generally has the following accommodations: a bedroom (with a nice, fluffy bed), living/work area, bathroom, food replicator, ultrasonic shower, old-fashioned water shower, personal holographic viewer, and even provisions for pets.

VIP/Diplomatic Guest Quarters: Though not ideally suited for diplomacy, the Nova Class (like all Starfleet Vessels) provide accommodations for special guests and visiting personnel aboard the ship. Though not as well appointed as on most vessels, the Nova’s VIP quarters are more than adequate.

These quarters are located on Deck 6. These quarters include a bedroom, spacious living/work area, personal viewscreen, ultrasonic shower, bathtub/water shower, and provisions for pets, a food replicator, and a null-grav sleeping chamber. These quarters can be immediately converted to class H, K, L, N, and N2 environments.

• 8.3 RECREATIONAL SYSTEMS

General Overview: Small ships tend not to be as well equipped as larger vessels in Starfleet. Though all are well attired, smaller vessels do not come with all the fringe benefits of a large ship, such as a Galaxy or Ambassador Class. The Nova Class is such a small ship, and what recreational capabilities it does have are taken advantage of on long missions of up to a year.

Holodecks: There are two holodecks aboard the Nova Class. These Holodecks are proprietary Federation Technology and can comfortably support up to 10 people at a time.

Target Range: Test of skill is an important form of recreation in many cultures, and the Nova Class provides a facility especially for such pursuits. The facility sports self-healing polymer absorptive targets for a variety of projectile and bladed weapons firing and/or tossing. In the rear of the Target Range facility is a locked area protected by forcefield in which phased weapons firing is done.

The phaser range is also used by security to train ship's personnel in marksmanship. During training, the holo-emitters in the phaser range are activated, creating a holographic setting, similar to what a holodeck does. Personnel are "turned loose;" either independently or in an Away Team formation to explore the setting presented to them, and the security officer in charge will take notes on the performance of each person as they take cover, return fire, protect each other, and perform a variety of different scenarios. All personnel on a Nova Class are tested every six months in phaser marksmanship.

Gym Facilities: Some degree of physical fitness is a requirement for Starfleet Officers and all starships provide some sort of facilities to maintain that aboard. Due to the small size of the Nova Class, those facilities are not as spacious as other vessels. Perhaps a dozen multi-use machines dot the workout area, as well as mats and a special area for physical training.

An emergency medical kit is located in an easily visible location near the door to the Gym.

• 8.4 CREW MESS

The crew mess hall serves double duty aboard the Nova Class because of its small size. Located in the forward section of Deck 2, the Mess is equipped with a two mass-use food replicators with an extensive recipe listing from over two hundred worlds. Eating accommodations are provided by a slew of tables with a small row of molded couches and chairs that follow the forward curve of the mess hall and face the large viewports on either side of the hall.

The Mess Hall has a battery of recreational games and assorted "stuff.” 3-D chess, octagonal billiards tables, and a storage center with more eclectic games such as Plak-tow can be found in the mess hall.

9.0 AUXILIARY SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS

• 9.1 MAIN SHUTTLEBAY

General Overview: Located in the aft dorsal portion of the engineering section, the Main Shuttlebay is the primary port for entrance and egress, as well as management of the Nova Class’ auxiliary craft and shuttles. The Main Shuttlebay is managed by a team of Helmsmen/Pilots, Engineers and Technicians, and Operations personnel that are based on the Flight Operations office under the supervision of the Flight Control Officer.

The Nova Class Main Shuttlebay is equipped with:

Two Type-9 Medium Long-Range Shuttlecraft Ordinance and Fuel Flight Operations

• 9.2 AUXILIARY SHUTTLEBAY

General Overview: Just forward and up from the Main Shuttlebay is the Nova Class Auxiliary Shuttlebay. Smaller in size and scope, the Auxiliary Shuttlebay houses the cold-storage facilities for its auxiliary craft, as well as additional maintenance areas. When not in use, the Auxiliary Shuttlebay is kept locked and only opened for regular maintenance checks.

The Nova Class Auxiliary Shuttlebay is equipped with:

2 Type-16 Shuttlepods

2 Workbee-type Maintenance Pods.

9.3 SHUTTLECRAFT

• 9.3.1 TYPE-9 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Medium long-range warp shuttle. Accommodation: Two flight crew, two passengers. Power Plant: One 400 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters. Dimensions: Length, 8.5 m; beam, 4.61 m; height 2.67 m. Mass: 2.61 metric tones. Performance: Warp 6. Armament: Two Type-VI phaser emitters.

The Type-9 Personnel Shuttle is a long-range craft capable of traveling at high warp for extended periods of time due to new advances in variable geometry warp physics. Making its debut just before the launch of the Intrepid-class, this shuttle type is ideal for scouting and recon missions, but is well suited to perform many multi-mission tasks. Equipped with powerful Type-VI phaser emitters, the shuttle is designed to hold its own ground for a longer period of time. Comfortable seating for four and moderate cargo space is still achieved without sacrificing speed and maneuverability. As is standard by the 2360’s, the shuttle is equipped with a medium-range transporter and is capable of traveling through a planet’s atmosphere. With its ability to travel at high-warp speeds, the Type-9 has been equipped with a more pronounced deflector dish that houses a compact long-range sensor that further helps it in its role as a scout. The Type-9 is now being deployed throughout the fleet and is especially aiding deep-space exploratory ships with its impressive abilities.

• 9.3.2 TYPE-16 SHUTTLEPOD

Type: Medium short-range sublight shuttle. Accommodation: Two; pilot and system manager. Power Plant: Two 750 millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS thrusters, four sarium krellide storage cells. Dimensions: Length, 4.8 m; beam, 2.4 m; height 1.6 m. Mass: 1.25 metric tones. Performance: Maximum delta-v, 12,250 m/sec. Armament: Two Type-IV phaser emitters.

Like the Type-15, the Type-16 Shuttlepod is a two person craft primarily used for short-ranged transportations of personnel and cargo, as well as for extravehicular inspections of Federation starships, stations and associated facilities. Lacking the ability to obtain warp speeds, the Type-16 is a poor candidate for even interplanetary travel, and is traditionally used as a means of transport between objects only a few kilometers apart. The craft is capable of atmospheric flight, allowing for routine flights between orbiting craft or stations and planetside facilities, and its cargo capacity is slightly higher then that of the Type-15. Ships of this type are stationed aboard various starship classes and stations, both spaceborne and planetside.

• 9.3.3 WORK BEE

Type: Utility craft. Accommodation: One operator. Power Plant: One microfusion reactor, four RCS thrusters. Dimensions: Length, 4.11 m; beam, 1.92 m; height 1.90 m. Mass: 1.68 metric tones. Performance: Maximum delta-v, 4,000 m/sec. Armament: None

The Work Bee is a capable stand-alone craft used for inspection of spaceborne hardware, repairs, assembly, and other activates requiring remote manipulators. The fully pressurized craft has changed little in design during the past 150 years, although periodic updates to the internal systems are done routinely. Onboard fuel cells and microfusion generators can keep the craft operational for 76.4 hours, and the life-support systems can provide breathable air, drinking water and cooling for the pilot for as long as fifteen hours. If the pilot is wearing a pressure suit or SEWG, the craft allows for the operator to exit while conducting operations. Entrance and exit is provided by the forward window, which lifts vertically to allow the pilot to come and go.

A pair of robotic manipulator arms is folded beneath the main housing, and allows for work to be done through pilot-operated controls. In addition, the Work Bee is capable of handling a cargo attachment that makes it ideal for transferring cargo around large Starbase and spaceborne construction facilities. The cargo attachment features additional microfusion engines for supporting the increased mass.

• 9.4 WAVERIDER CRAFT

Type: Nova Class WaveRider Craft Accommodation: 3 flight crew, 3 passengers Power Plant: 3 Magnodynamic thrusters (Aft), fusion core, maneuvering thrusters. Dimensions: Length: 16.8m; Width: 14.5m; Height: 3.1m Performance: Impulse: .25c, Atmospheric: Mach-12 Armament: 2 Type-IV Phaser Arrays.

An auxiliary craft for Nova Class Survey Vessels, the WaveRider-Type atmospheric shuttlecraft is designed to facilitate close quarters examination and survey of planetary bodies by science personnel aboard the ship.

At just over 20 meters in length, the vessel is small enough to be carried by the Nova Class but large enough to be useful. Intended to work in atmosphere, the small craft is high fuel efficient at Mach-5 and above, making use of the conventional propulsion with back up impulse and RCS thrusters for maneuvering in space.

Unlike ordinary shuttlecraft, the WaveRider does not enter the ship’s Main and Auxiliary Shuttlebays; instead, it inserts itself into a recessed port in the ventral part of the saucer just forward of the main sensor dome. Access to the WaveRider is provided by a hatchway inside the ship and a ladder-equipped hard umbilical.

10.0 NOVA CLASS FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Operations aboard a Nova Class starship fall under one of three categories: Flight Operations, Primary Mission Operations, or Secondary Mission Operations.

Flight Operations are all operations that relate directly to the function of the starship itself, which include power generation, starship upkeep, environmental systems, and any other system that is maintained and used to keep the vessel space worthy.

Primary Mission Operations entail all tasks assigned and directed from the Main Bridge, and typically require full control and discretion over ship navigation and ship's resources.

Secondary Mission operations are those operations that are not under the direct control of the Main Bridge, but do not impact Primary Mission Operations. Some examples of secondary mission operations include long-range cultural, diplomatic, or scientific programs run by independent or semi-autonomous groups aboard the starship.

• 10.1 MISSION TYPES

Seeking out new worlds and new civilizations is central to all that Starfleet stands for. The Nova Class Survey Vessel facilitates this, outfitted for long-duration missions over planets and systems, cataloging and monitoring anything and everything of interest inside a designated area.

Mission for a Nova Class starship may fall into one of the following categories, in order of her strongest capable mission parameter to her weakest mission parameter.

Ongoing Scientific Investigation: A Nova Class starship is equipped with scientific laboratories and a wide variety of sensor probes and sensor arrays, as well as the state-of-the-art dorsal subspace sensor assembly; giving her the ability to perform a wide variety of ongoing scientific investigations. Contact with Alien Lifeforms: Pursuant to Starfleet Policy regarding the discovery of new life, facilities aboard the Nova Class include a variety of exobiology and xenobiological suites, and a small cultural anthropology staff, allowing for limited deep-space life form study and interaction. Federation Policy and Diplomacy: A Nova Class starship’s secondary role is the performance of diplomatic operations on behalf of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. These missions may include transport of Delegates, hosting of negotiations or conferences aboard in the vessel’s Conference Hall, courier for important people and/or items, and first contact scenarios. Tactical/Defensive Operations: Though not designed primarily for battle, the Nova Class –like all Starfleet vessels– is designed to be resilient and ably armed. Emergency/Search and Rescue: Typical Missions include answering standard Federation emergency beacons, extraction of Federation or Non-Federation citizens in distress, retrieval of Federation or Non-Federation spacecraft in distress. Planetary evacuation is not feasible.

• 10.2 OPERATING MODES

The normal flight and mission operations of the Nova Class starship are conducted in accordance with a variety of Starfleet standard operating rules, determined by the current operational state of the starship. These operational states are determined by the Commanding Officer, although in certain specific cases, the Computer can automatically adjust to a higher alert status.

The major operating modes are:

Cruise Mode - The normal operating condition of the ship. Yellow Alert - Designates a ship wide state of increased preparedness for possible crisis situations. Red Alert - Designates an actual state of emergency in which the ship or crew is endangered, immediately impending emergencies, or combat situations. Blue Alert – Mode used aboard ships with planet fall capability when landing mode is initialized. External Support Mode - State of reduced activity that exists when a ship is docked at a starbase or other support facility. Reduced Power Mode - This protocol is invoked in case of a major failure in spacecraft power generation, in case of critical fuel shortage, or in the event that a tactical situation requires severe curtailment of onboard power generation.

During Cruise Mode, the ship’s operations are run on three 8-hour shifts designated Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Should a crisis develop, it may revert to a four-shift system of six hours to keep crew fatigue down.

Typical Shift command is as follows:

Alpha Shift – Captain (CO) Beta Shift – Executive Officer (XO) Gamma Shift – Rotated amongst Senior Officers

• 10.3 LANDING MODE

Nova Class vessels are capable of atmospheric entry and egress with equipment worked into the physical design of the starship. Each Nova Class vessel is equipped with anti-gravity generators as well as impulse and RCS lifters strategically placed at the mass and stress points on the bottom portion of the engineering section.

During Blue Alert, the Nova Class lowers the projection sphere of the deflector shields and assumes an angle of attack perpendicular to the angular rotation of the planetary body if it has an atmosphere. This allows the vessel’s shape to work as a lifting body with air traveling under the broad and flat saucer and under the wing-like nacelle struts. Once in the atmosphere, navigation is controlled with RCS thrusters and use of the aft impulse engines.

It is standard procedure to lower the landing gear at approximately 2500m above the Landing Zone (LZ) surface, regardless of LZ altitude. This minimizes the drag on the vessel. Once prepared for landing, Aft impulse engines are shut down and four vents on the ventral hull are opened.

These vents cover the ventral impulse thrust plates. Impulse engines in miniature, the thrust plates serve only to provide lift to the Nova Class as the anti-gravity generators effectively reduce its weight. The RCS thrusters provide final maneuvering power.

Once on the ground, crew or equipment can be transported to the surface from the vessel, or use the ship’s turbolift system that connects to channels inside the landing struts themselves, and open out near the ‘feet’.

Take-off is done in reverse.

• 10.4 MAINTENANCE

Though much of a modern starship’s systems are automated, they do require regular maintenance and upgrade. Maintenance is typically the purview of the Engineering, but personnel from certain divisions that are more familiar with them can also maintain specific systems.

Maintenance of onboard systems is almost constant, and varies in severity. Everything from fixing a stubborn replicator, to realigning the Dilithium matrix is handled by technicians and engineers on a regular basis. Not all systems are checked centrally by Main Engineering; to do so would occupy too much computer time by routing every single process to one location. To alleviate that, systems are compartmentalized by deck and location for checking. Department heads are expected to run regular diagnostics of their own equipment and report anomalies to Engineering to be fixed.

Systems Diagnostics All key operating systems and subsystems aboard the ship have a number of preprogrammed diagnostic software and procedures for use when actual or potential malfunctions are experienced. These various diagnostic protocols are generally classified into five different levels, each offering a different degree of crew verification of automated tests. Which type of diagnostic is used in a given situation will generally depend upon the criticality of a situation, and upon the amount of time available for the test procedures.

Level 1 Diagnostic - This refers to the most comprehensive type of system diagnostic, which is normally conducted on ship's systems. Extensive automated diagnostic routines are performed, but a Level 1 diagnostic requires a team of crew members to physically verify operation of system mechanisms and to system readings, rather than depending on the automated programs, thereby guarding against possible malfunctions in self-testing hardware and software. Level 1 diagnostics on major systems can take several hours, and in many cases, the subject system must be taken off-line for all tests to be performed.

Level 2 Diagnostic - This refers to a comprehensive system diagnostic protocol, which, like a Level 1, involves extensive automated routines, but requires crew verification of fewer operational elements. This yields a somewhat less reliable system analysis, but is a procedure that can be conducted in less than half the time of the more complex tests.

Level 3 Diagnostic - This protocol is similar to Level 1 and 2 diagnostics but involves crew verification of only key mechanics and systems readings. Level 3 diagnostics are intended to be performed in ten minutes or less.

Level 4 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for use whenever trouble is suspected with a given system. This protocol is similar to Level 5, but involves more sophisticated batteries of automated diagnostics. For most systems, Level 4 diagnostics can be performed in less than 30 seconds.

Level 5 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for routine use to verify system performance. Level 5 diagnostics, which usually require less than 2.5 seconds, are typically performed on most systems on at least a daily basis, and are also performed during crisis situations when time and system resources are carefully managed.

11.0 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

• 11.1 EMERGENCY MEDICAL OPERATIONS

Pursuant to Starfleet General Policy and Starfleet Medical Emergency Operations, at least 25% of the officers and crew of the Nova Class are cross-trained to serve as Emergency Medical Technicians, to serve as triage specialists, medics, and other emergency medical functions along with non-medical emergency operations in engineering or tactical departments. This set of policies was established due to the wide variety of emergencies, both medical and otherwise, that a Federation Starship could respond to on any given mission.

All of the cargo bays and some of the science labs (biological sciences) can be easily converted into emergency treatment wards. Cargo Bays 1 and 2 also provide additional space for emergency triage centers and recovery overflow. Portable field emitters can be erected for contagion management.

• 11.2 EMERGENCY MEDICAL HOLOGRAM

Pursuant to new Medical Protocols, all Medical Facilities are equipped with holo-emitters for the emergency usage of the Emergency Medical Hologram System. Starships of this type carry the EMH Mark-I, with options to upgrade to new versions as they become available.

• 11.3 LIFEBOATS

Pods are located on decks below Deck 1. Each pod can support a total of eighty-six person-days (meaning, one person can last eighty-six days, two can last for forty-three, etc.). Two pods are reserved for the top four officers in the chain of command on the ship, because they are the last four to leave the ship. These are located on Deck 2. As the number of experienced Captains dwindles in Starfleet, the notion of a Captain going down with his ship has been abolished. If the ship is abandoned, the top four officers in the chain of command will wait until everyone else is off the ship, opt to arm the auto-Destruct (not always necessary, but there if needed), and then leave in the two escape pods. The current lifepods are called ASRVs, or autonomous survival and recovery vehicles. The first group of these were delivered in 2337 to the last Renaissance class starship, the USS Hokkaido.

In situations when the base vessel is not near a habitable system, up to four ASRVs may be linked together in a chain at junction ports to share and extend resources.

• 11.4 RESCUE AND EVACUATION OPERATIONS

Rescue and Evacuation Operations for a Nova Class starship will fall into one of two categories - abandoning the starship, or rescue and evacuation from a planetary body or another starship.

Rescue Scenarios

Resources are available for rescue and evacuation to a Nova Class starship include:

The ability to transport 200 persons per hour to the ship via personnel transporters. The availability of the 2 Type-9 shuttlecraft to be on hot standby for immediate launch, with all additional shuttlecraft available for launch in an hours notice. Total transport capabilities of these craft vary due to differing classifications but an average load of 50 persons can be offloaded per hour from a standard orbit to an M Class planetary surface. Capacity to support up to 325 evacuees with conversion of the shuttlebay and cargo bays to emergency living quarters. Ability to convert the Mess Hall to an emergency triage and medical center. Ability to temporarily convert Cargo Bay 1 to type H, K, or L environments, intended for non-humanoid casualties.

Abandon-Ship Scenarios

Resources available for abandon-ship scenarios from a Nova Class starship include:

The ability to transport 300 persons per hour from the ship via personnel and emergency transporters. The availability of the 2 Type-9 shuttlecraft to be on hot standby for immediate launch, with all additional craft available for launch in an hours notice. Total transport capabilities of these craft vary due to differing classifications but an average load of 75 persons can be offloaded per hour from a standard orbit to an M Class planetary surface. Protocols also include the use of Lifeboats. Each Nova Class vessel carries 24 of the 6-person variants, which measures 5.6 meters tall and 6.2 meters along the edge of the rectangle. Each Lifeboat can survive longer if they connect together in "Gaggle Mode.” Environmental Suits are available for evacuation directly into a vacuum. In such a scenario, personnel can evacuate via airlocks, the flight bay, or through exterior turbolift couplings. Environmental suits are available at all exterior egress points, along with survival lockers spaced throughout the habitable portions of the starship. Standard air supply in an EV suit is 4 hours.

• 11.5 CORE EJECTION

Though rare, starships occasionally face the horrible concept of a warp core breech. As the primary power source for a starship, the explosive power of a warpcore far surpasses the superstructure and structural integrity field strengths and most often ends in the complete destruction of the starship and anything within a 20km blast radius.

Modern starships have been equipped for this possibility and have the capability to eject their warpcore. The Nova Class has an ejection port on the forward side of the ventral engineering hull. Magnetic rails inside the channel accelerate the core once disengaged from the ship and ‘fires’ it as far as 2000 meters away from the ship. The ship then moves away from the core as fast as possible under impulse power.

Should the core not go critical, the Nova Class can recover its warpcore by use of tractor beams and careful manipulation.